406 Theology

This is a podcast run by Rev. Benjamin Melli, who lives in the Flathead Valley, Montana. The purpose is to provide content for those interested in theology and Biblical Christianity. There will be interviews, book reviews, sermons and random other projects. If you have any questions or critiques feel free too reach out!

Luke 7: Portraits of Faith 02/04/2026

Luke 7: Portraits of Faith In this sermon we see Luke showing us examples of those pursuing the Kingdom of God by faith in Jesus Christ. The examples come from the most unexpected sources, a Roman Centurion, and a sinful woman. Faithfulness for Jesus consists of a humble confidence in His authority over the world and our sin. He has the authority to grant forgivenss and bring to life those who are physically and spiritually unwell. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39998750

Luke 6: The Sermon on the Plain 01/28/2026

Luke 6: The Sermon on the Plain In Luke 6 we Jesus preparing his apostles, along with other disciples, to live in the Kingdom of God. The ethical code, values, and culture of His Kingdom will be drastically different from any other kingdoms this world has. What can we learn to apply to our own lives today from what Jesus has to say? This sermon was preached at First Prestbyerian Church in Whitefish, MT. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39913865

The Authority of Jesus: Luke 4 & 5 01/20/2026

The Authority of Jesus: Luke 4 & 5 This sermon is from Luke 4 & 5 which tells of the authority Jesus had and still has. Luke gives us a few stories which put together a picture of the extent of Jesus' authority. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39802665

Luke 4:14-28 "The Spirit of the Lord was on Him" 01/14/2026

Luke 4:14-28 "The Spirit of the Lord was on Him" This sermon explores Luke's telling of the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee. While Jesus had already had a strong presence in and around Capernaum, Luke uses this story in the home town of Jesus to epitomize the crowds reaction. Some were amazed, others wanted to kill him. What does this story tell us about the ministry of Jesus, and what does that mean for us today? /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39730800

Sermon: Luke 3 "The Holy Spirit and Fire" 01/06/2026

Sermon: Luke 3 "The Holy Spirit and Fire" This is a sermon which was preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. Luke gives us a picture of the ministry of John the Baptist as he tells us what repentance and forgiveness of sins looks like in Christianity. It is through repentance, turning from our sins, and trusting in the person of Jesus that we find forgiveness and payment for sin. This sermon tells us why this is such good news for us. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39633040

Christmas Eve: He Is Making His Kingdom 12/26/2025

Christmas Eve: He Is Making His Kingdom This sermon is from Luke 2:1-20 which contains the Christmas narrative. Unlike the gospel writer Matthew, whose perspective is from Joseph, Herod, and the Wise men from other nations, Luke tells the story from the eyes of Mary and Ceasar Agustus. This gives us insight into which kingdom is truly going to bring about prosperity and peace. The King born in a stable vs. the Roman Ceasar, the Kingdom of God vs. the kingdom of man. Whose kingdom will you seek and worship? /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39537500

God is Love: Fourth Sunday of Advent 12/26/2025

God is Love: Fourth Sunday of Advent God is love. His love is displayed in His faithfulness and compassion toward His people, specifically in His plan of redemption. This sermon is the fourth in Advent and taken from Zechariah's song at the end of Luke ch. 1. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39537470

Sermon: Luke 1: "The King of Peace" 12/09/2025

Sermon: Luke 1: "The King of Peace" The birth of Jesus is told through Mary's eyes in the first two chapters of Luke. This sermon is about the theme of Peace which comes with the King, Jesus. Gabriel announces to Mary that she will have a son who will be King of a Kingdom that has no end. We are left with this questionm, "How does this news provide peace for us?" /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39332365

Malachi 3:16-4:5: "Healing in His Wings" 11/24/2025

Malachi 3:16-4:5: "Healing in His Wings" This is a sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitfish MT. Have you ever seen people living lives in complete disregard of God and it seems like they're having more fun than you are? What is the point of serving a God if evil is allowed to flourish, and wickedness is not punished? It's easy to feel like God does not really care about how we live, especially when we serve Him and seem to reap no bennifit. Malachi's audience had the same thought. This sermon reassures us that God still very much cares about His people and reminds us that He is still working out of His timing. In this we rest assured, there will be a day of reckogning, God will honor those who honor Him. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39144020

Sermon on Malachi 2:17-3:1: God's Justice 11/18/2025

Sermon on Malachi 2:17-3:1: God's Justice This episode is a sermon preached at First Presbyterian church in Whitefish, MT. In this sermon, Malachi addresses the concern of his audience that God's justice will manifest it'self. The problem with his audience is that they think God's justice does not apply to them as well. Malachi has a sobering reminder that God's justice shows no partiality and all will come before the Lord. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/39073440

Sermon Zechariah 13:1-7: "Strike the Shepherd" 10/27/2025

Sermon Zechariah 13:1-7: "Strike the Shepherd" Sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish, MT. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38797965

Sermon: Zechariah 9:9-13 "Behold Your King" 10/13/2025

Sermon: Zechariah 9:9-13 "Behold Your King" Sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish, MT. In this sermon we look at Zechariah's description of the King who is to come and rescue His people. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38568325

The Monday Morning After: Zechariah 9:9-13 10/13/2025

The Monday Morning After: Zechariah 9:9-13 This is a Monday morning review of the sermon preached at First Presbyterian church in Whitefish, MT. These episodes focus more on the Bible study that goes into the sermon. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38568240

Zechariah 6:9-15: Kingly Priest 10/13/2025

Zechariah 6:9-15: Kingly Priest Sermon preached at First Presbyterian church in Whitefish on Zechariah 6. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38568115

The Morning After: Zechariah 3 09/29/2025

The Morning After: Zechariah 3 This episode is part of the "Morning After" series which furthers the commentary on the sermon preached the previous day. This episode's focus is on Zechariah 3. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38399840

Sermon Zechariah 3: "the hope of cleanliness" 09/29/2025

Sermon Zechariah 3: "the hope of cleanliness" Sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish, MT. Zechariah shows us his vision of how God cleanses his people, making them righteous. This is combined with his plan to do so through a Messiah who will bring reconciliation between God and mankind. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38399800

The Morning After: Zechariah 1:7-17 09/22/2025

The Morning After: Zechariah 1:7-17 "The morning after" is a segment where I review, on Monday, the sermon I preached the previous day, on a Sunday. This episode reviews Zechariah 1:7-17, the vision of the horseman and the hope God gives His people to continue to be in their midst. I hope you enjoy. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38317070

Sermon on Zechariah 1:7-17 09/22/2025

Sermon on Zechariah 1:7-17 Sermon preached on Zechariah ch. 1:7-17. This sermon focus's on the oracle given to Zechariah and given to God's people during their time of building the temple after exile. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38314875

Haggai Ch. 2: Monday Afterwards 09/22/2025

Haggai Ch. 2: Monday Afterwards This is the follow up to the sermon preached at First Presbyterian church in Whitefish on Haggai ch. 2. These follow up episodes are an expansion of the sermon, with some technical notes and further thoughts on the passage preached. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38314830

A Bible Study: Haggai Ch. 1 09/08/2025

A Bible Study: Haggai Ch. 1 This channel has been used to post sermons, but now it will be used to post a "deep dive" into the Bible passages on which I preach. This episode is all about Haggai chapter 1! /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/38131920

Christians Value Worship: Revelation 4 05/26/2025

Christians Value Worship: Revelation 4 Christians value worshipping God. That shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone but so often our lives reflect more the values of the world more than the value of worshipping God. In this sermon, we look at Revelaiton chapter 4 to show us what worship looks like in heaven so as to remind us what our daily rythm of worship should be as well. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/36720555

Christians Value God's Grace 05/05/2025

Christians Value God's Grace This sermon is about why Christians value God's grace. What is it? How does it work? How does it stay with us beyond a certain point? Christians are transformed by grace, but that transformation is on going. It is not just a one time event or experience. Ephesians 2:1-10 shows how God's grace began our transformation, continues and completes it. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/36445525

What do Christians value? Pt. 1: God's Word 04/28/2025

What do Christians value? Pt. 1: God's Word Christians worship the Lord, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But we also have values which shape the way we worship the Lord. Values do not change, but they may grow. This sermon series is about what Christians should and do value. They should value, in that we need to center these values in our discipleship of Jesus. They do value, in that as we grow these values increase in our lives. The first value we'll look at is God's Word. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/36339540

Mark 11:1-11 "The King Arrives" 04/17/2025

Mark 11:1-11 "The King Arrives" This is a sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish, MT. We often refer to Mark 11:1-11 when we celebrate "Palm Sunday". This passge contains the entery of Jesus to the Temple which, traditionally, starts "Holy Week" in the Church calendar. This sermon looks at the expectations of Jesus from the people and the reality that the King Jesus brings. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/36208920

Mark 12: What is the greatest commandment? 04/01/2025

Mark 12: What is the greatest commandment? Jesus is asked the question, "what is the greatest commandment in God's law?" He answers not with one commandment but with two. Why? The reason is because loving God and others cannot be seperated. We do not love others well when we do not love God, and the reverse is true as well. This is a sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish, Montana. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/35954505

Mark 9:33-50: "Discipleship Lessons" 03/17/2025

Mark 9:33-50: "Discipleship Lessons" Jesus gathers the disciples in a house to further explain to them the process of learning to die to self and live for the Kingdom. Jesus is discipling them, he is modeling what they are to do with others. He gives 5 aspects of which reorient the disciples understanding of becoming a follower of Jesus: postion, prestige, public and private life, and purpose. This is a sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/35724750

Mark 9: "The Transfiguration" 03/10/2025

Mark 9: "The Transfiguration" The transfiguration recorded in Mark 9, witnessed by Peter, James and John served as a necessary encouragement and revelation of the reality of the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is God with us. He is the image of the invisible God, the second person of the Trinity, the Word of God made flesh. He has been given authority and dominion over all things and we should listen to His words. This sermon was preached at First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/35608355

Mark 8 (pt. 2): Take Up Your Cross 03/03/2025

Mark 8 (pt. 2): Take Up Your Cross Who is Jesus? He is the Messiah sent to suffer death on the cross for the atonement of our sin. What is Jesus calling us to do? To follow Him in dying to ourselves by picking up our crosses. Why is Jesus calling us to do this? Because as we learn to die to ourselves our souls are reborn in the image of His likeness. The process of killing sin and living righteously is learning that our souls are eternal, we can have all the wolrd gives us but it won't please or redeem our souls. When is this process, this new kingdom, going to start? At the cross and resurrection of Jesus we see a Kingdom expand from just a local place (Israel) and a specific people (Jews) to an innagurated eschatology. A beginning of the end. The Kingdom of God is now, take up your cross and follow Him. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/35514630

Mark 8 (pt.1): Seeing is Believing 02/24/2025

Mark 8 (pt.1): Seeing is Believing Christianity is unique among all other belief systems for a few reasons. The first one being the person and work of Jesus Christ. The good news that Christians must trust is that Jesus is the Son of God who came to save sinners from not just their actions but also their intentions, our hearts desires. Mark paints a picture for us which shows the hardness of heart and the need for a new heart as he shows us the interaction of the Pharisees seeking a sign from Jesus and the Apostles being concerned about the lack of food they have. This sermon shows us what Jesus saw as their real need. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/35407275

Mark 7: What Defiles Someone? 02/17/2025

Mark 7: What Defiles Someone? Every culture has a mark of defilement, a way of distinguishing the deplorable from the righteous. We may define this with religion, ethics, knowledege, family name, or social status. In Jesus' day it was no different, but their defining matrix, the tradition of the elders, was elevated on the same authority as God's Word. For those who worship the One True God there is no other authority than God's revelatory Word. Mark shows us that Jesus is the final authority and it is was He tells us that should define our understanding of what is defiled in the eyes of the Father. /episode/index/show/f76520bb-c9bd-4a36-8acc-81af5b7308be/id/35314590

406 Theology

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